Social Problems

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Written by a respected scholar in the field, this authoritative and accessible text is a contemporary introduction to social problems. The authors introduce the major trends and future outlook for each social problem. Social policies devised to address social problems--and their consequences--are examined in depth by presenting the key research conducted to examine, explain and alleviate today's social problems. The text takes the discussion of social problems one step further by looking at each problem from a global perspective and "big picture" view.

William Kornblum conducts research on urban, social ecology, and community studies. Among his publications are: At Sea in the City: New York from the Water’s Edge; Blue Collar Community, a study of the steel mill neighborhoods of South Chicago; Growing Up Poor and Uptown Kids, written with Terry Williams, and West 42nd Street, the Bright Lights, which during the 1980s became a guide to understanding the street life of lower Times Square. He has served as a social scientist for the U.S. Department of Interior and worked on the development of national parks and environmental reserves in the nation's metropolitan regions. He is also the author of two popular undergraduate textbooks, Social Problems (Pearson) and Sociology in a Changing World (Wadsworth). Kornblum received his PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago (1971) and his undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell (1961) He taught physics and chemistry as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ivory Coast (1962-63) and was on the faculty at the University of Washington before he came to the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 1973.

IN THIS SECTION:

1.) BRIEF2.) COMPREHENSIVE

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1: Sociological Perspective on Social ProblemsChapter 2: Problems of Health and HealthcareChapter 3: Problems of Mental Illness and TreatmentChapter 4: Alcohol and Other DrugsChapter 5: Crime and ViolenceChapter 6: Poverty and AffluenceChapter 7: Racism, Prejudice, and DiscriminationChapter 8: Gender and SexualityChapter 9: An Aging SocietyChapter 10: The Changing FamilyChapter 11: Problems of EducationChapter 12: Problems of Work and the EconomyChapter 13: Population and ImmigrationChapter 14: Technology and the EnvironmentChapter 15: War and Global Insecurity

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1: Sociological Perspective on Social ProblemsWhat Is a Social Problem? Perspectives on Social ProblemsThe Natural History of Social ProblemsThe Media and Social ProblemsResearch on Social ProblemsSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 2: Problems of Health and HealthcareHealthcare as a Global Social ProblemThe Scope of Healthcare Problems in AmericaAIDS–A Modern PlagueExplanations of Healthcare ProblemsSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 3: Problems of Mental Illness and Treatment Mental Illness as a Social ProblemThe Social Construction of Mental IllnessInequality, Conflict, and Mental IllnessInstitutional Problems of Treatment and CareSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs The Nature of the ProblemAlcohol Use and AbuseIllegal Drug Use and AbuseSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 5: Crime and Violence The Nature of CrimeTypes of Crimes and CriminalsGangs, Guns, and Violent DeathConditions and Causes of Crime and ViolenceControlling CrimeSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 6: Poverty and Affluence The Haves and the Have-NotsPoverty and Social ClassThe Nature of PovertyConcomitants of PovertyExplanations of Persistent PovertySocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 7: Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination The Continuing Struggle for Minority Civil RightsThe Social Construction of MinoritiesDefining Racism, Prejudice, and DiscriminationOrigins of Prejudice and DiscriminationInstitutional DiscriminationSome Consequences of Prejudice and DiscriminationSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 8: Gender and Sexuality Traditional Sex RolesGender Identity and Sexual OrientationSexism and Gender InequalitySources of SexismSources of HomophobiaSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 9: An Aging SocietyAging as a Social ProblemThe Elderly in America TodayDimensions of the Aging ProcessConcomitants of AgingRetirementDeathSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 10: The Changing FamilyThe Nature of FamiliesDivorcePostponement of MarriageChanging Norms of ParenthoodHomeless FamiliesFamily ViolenceSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 11: Problems of EducationSociological Perspectives on EducationEducational Attainment and AchievementEducation and Equality: The Issue of Equal AccessSchool Reform: Problems of Institutional ChangeSocial Policy Going Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 12: Problems of Work and the EconomyThe American Free-Enterprise System: Key TrendsGlobal Markets and Corporate PowerEffects on American WorkersProblem Aspects of WorkConsumers and CreditSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 13: Population and Immigration The World's Population Population ControlThe U.S. PopulationImmigration and Its ConsequencesSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 14: Technology and the Environment The Nature of TechnologyControlling TechnologyTechnology and InstitutionsTechnology and the Natural EnvironmentEnvironmental StressThe United States and the World EnvironmentSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right

Chapter 15: War and Global Insecurity Terrorism, Global and DomesticWar and Its EffectsControlling WarfareTheories about War and Its OriginsSocial PolicyGoing Beyond Left and Right